Intolerance, discrimination and lack of respect, among other forms of violence, are part of everyday life that affect all people equally. In our day to day we face negative situations that affect us directly or indirectly.
Homophobia is a type of verbal and physical violence, in more cases than you think, that has been implanted in society and prevails as a differentiating foundation to discriminate against those whose orientation, identity or gender expression does not conform to the hegemonic regulations.
Do you want to know what you should do if you see someone being attacked because of their orientation, gender identity or expression? Do not worry, in this article we give you 12 ideal keys to know how to act against homophobia and end it, let’s start!
Previous recommendations to avoid falling into homophobia
Avoid heterosexual presumption
Most consider everyone around them to be straight, which is a big surprise when someone expresses their non-normative status. Do not identify everyone as heterosexual and eliminate thoughts, phrases and attitudes that make you perceive others in this way.
Flee from unitary identities regarding the LGBT+
Do you think all diverse people are the same? In case the answer is affirmative, let us tell you that you are wrong or wrong. Not all people are the same, and there is no single way of being. Destroy your conception that the members of the LGBT+ collective are the same way.
Unlink the condition of each person as a characteristic to highlight
Is being heterosexual a characteristic to highlight? No. So why be LGBT+ if? Do not pay too much attention to this aspect and focus on the interior of the people. We advise you to avoid introducing and referring to someone you know as ‘my lesbian friend’ or ‘my friend, who is trans, is blonde’.
Be aware that homophobia affects everyone.
Homophobia is a type of violence that affects everyone equally. It does not focus its attention on people who are LGBT+, but it is also directed against those who do not comply with the prevailing canons and gender-generic roles. Therefore, the situation can arise in which a heterosexual person suffers it without belonging to the group.
Use more inclusive language
There are many ways to use a language with which everyone feels identified. You can use generic words like youth instead of youth or citizenship instead of citizens. You can also use neutral words or use the letter ‘e’ to eliminate gender connotations in some cases.
Respect for the identity of people
You should always take into account and respect the way in which others feel, that is, if a person tells you that you should refer to them in the masculine, even if you perceive them as feminine, do so and respect their identity.
Review your prejudices and the stereotypes you have associated with diversity
Question all your teachings regarding gender roles and the way each one of them is. Let each person act or behave as they want regardless of impositions or generic canons. Also, get rid of all the myths and legends you have heard from your head and learn to know people for themselves and not for what others think.
Respect privacy
If a person confesses to you their true orientation, identity or gender expression, do not disclose it and make it public without their consent. Respect their privacy and confidentiality, let that person do it when they consider it appropriate.
Expand your mind to understand other realities
Open your mind and discover that diversity is one of the aspects that enriches us the most. Don’t judge anyone, don’t assume anything and prevent prejudices from becoming absolute truths.
keys to know how to act against homophobia
Observe and detect others
Most cases of homophobia are very subtle or take place in private, pay attention to your surroundings and be alert to a possible case. Observation is the main element that can help you detect it and stop it before it has serious consequences.
Avoid being part of this form of violence
If you witness a scene of harassment, discrimination or violence against a person for reasons of their diversity, do not participate in the attack. The best way to end these problems is not to contribute to them and for the person attacking to perceive that they do not have the support of others.
For situations of discrimination
Avoid whenever you can that the attacks are carried out and prevent anyone from suffering a negative situation for any reason. Become the person who stops violent attitudes, both verbal and physical, from those who are disrespectful and intolerant.
Do not remain silent, since silence is an accomplice to bullying
Never stay silent or silent, since with this you will make the harassment perpetuate and the acts become stronger and more repetitive. Silence only favors the harasser or harasser, not the harassed person.
Show your rejection of homophobic comments or mockery
Remember to always show yourself dissatisfied with homophobic attitudes and do not contribute to comments or jokes that are pronounced in your presence. If someone makes use of diversity to show their humor or wit, do not participate and express your opinion regarding the LGBT+ issue.
Show your disagreement and address it with other people around you
If you witness comments, mockery or direct or indirect attacks, show your opposition to them and discuss the issue with other people from the environment where it occurred. For example, if the bullying takes place at work, talk to your colleagues and find out their opinion about it.
Defend and help the affected person
Whenever you witness a scene caused by a person’s homophobia, act accordingly and lend your help to the victim. Don’t let anyone suffer because of their gender orientation, identity, or expression. Become an ally and fight against bigoted people.
Avoid exclusion and offer them a space near you
Violated people are often excluded and discriminated against by the rest for fear of also becoming the center of attacks. Do not be afraid and prevent anyone from being isolated for a reason they should not be, offer your help and show your support through a letter or a small gesture.
Talk to the person who is harassing and explain to him the situation that can generate
Address the issue with the person who shows a negative attitude towards another and expose the situations that can generate their attitude. Make him aware of the repercussions that his actions can have and make him aware that he should not continue to act in this way. In addition, it is recommended that you address some issues and feed your mind with points of view about LGBT+ that you are unaware of, such as the importance of Pride Day.
Make your environment aware of the direct and indirect consequences
Talk to those around you where these homophobic attacks take place, be it at work, at school or in your own family, and explain to them the direct and indirect consequences of these acts. Among them there may be cases of isolation, mental illnesses or some more serious ones.
help in the environment where the bullying occurs
You must communicate the existing situation in the environment and ask for help from superiors to end the harassment. Propose ideas such as awareness talks, courses on information related to the LGBT+ or workshops to solve the matter and favor the appearance of a favorable climate for everyone.
Get involved in the change
- Become the fundamental pillar for change and do everything possible so that no one, in your presence or without it, suffers for this reason. Take diversity, equality and respect as the main values to always highlight and defend in any setting in which you are present.
- These are the 12 ideal keys to know how to act against homophobia and put an end to it. In this article we want to eradicate this type of violence and contribute to the fight so that no one feels discriminated against or discriminated against because of their condition.